Annual Passholder Holiday Kickoff

More details are available about this week's Annual Passholder event.
From 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Tuesday and Wednesday, November 18 and 19, Disney's
California Adventure park's Hollywood and Dine restaurant will be transformed
into an Annual Passholder lounge of sorts. Passholders can relax with
a free beverage, take photos with Disney characters in their holiday costumes,
and receive a free button. The preview includes sneak peeks at the Tower
of Terror and Disney's Snow White  An Enchanting Musical.
Cast members warn visitors not to get their hopes up, howeverthe
preview of Tower of Terror will consist mostly of photos and
a video, and Passholders will not be allowed near the ride building.

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Passholders will also get an extra discount on their merchandise purchases
during those two days. Southern California and Deluxe Passholders will
get a voucher for a 10 percent discount, and Premium Passholders will
receive a 20 percent discount. Specific details and participting locations
will be listed on the voucher. An annual passholder pin will be available
for sale during the event.

The Disneyland Band performs in front of the 2003 Christmas tree. Photo
by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

Christmas, round 2

Although the Disneyland Resort holiday season officially
started on November 7, more offerings will be added this weekend. A
Christmas Fantasy parade begins Friday, November 21. That is also
the day that Santa Claus makes his debut on Main Street, U.S.A.

Round three begins on Thanksgiving, when strolling carolers and Santa
make daily appearances at the Disneyland Resort hotels. The Holiday Fantasy
Waters show also begins on November 27. The Candy Palace on Main Street
begins making fresh candy canes the day after Thanksgiving.

Disney's 2003 Wildfire Heroes Salute

Disney's 2003 Wildfire Heroes Salute gives firefighters, law enforcement and
rescue personnel a chance to enjoy complimentary, three-day admission
into DCA, plus special admission discounts for their families and friends.

Since this offer began last week, several groups of children proudly
wearing their parents' department T-shirts have been spotted in the park.

Announcing this offer, Disneyland Resort president Matt Ouimet said,
All of us at the Disneyland Resort express our heartfelt appreciation
for the tireless dedication and sacrifices our emergency personnel made
during the recent fires, and we invite these hard-working men and women
to enjoy some well-deserved fun with their families and friends.

The promotion entitles qualifying emergency personnel to one free three-day
park hopper ticket. They can also make a one-time purchase of up to five
three-day park hopper companion tickets for $39 each. Discounted hotel
rates are also available at the three Disneyland Resort hotels.

Disney's 2003 Wildfire Heroes Salute is offered November 11, 2003 through
March 31, 2004, except for blackout dates of November 27 through 29, 2003, December
20, 2003 through January 3, 2004, and February 14 through 16, 2004. Active California firefighters,
law enforcement and rescue personnel are eligible with proper organization
identification and photo identification. Details and additional information
are available by calling (714) 520-5069, or at the salute's Web page (link).

More Candlelight news

Just weeks before the actual event, Disneyland has finally released the
official announcement about the Candlelight Procession and
Ceremony, scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, December 6 and 7.

As previously reported here, Candlelight will return to Main
Street, U.S.A., this year. The Fantasyland Theater, where the performance
has been held since 1998, is being refurbished for the new Snow White
musical production. Some members of the Disney Employee Choir have been
told that Candlelight will stay on Main Street for at least
five years, or until Snow White closes.

Performances will be 5:30 and 8 p.m. each day. Disney has confirmed that
Oscar- and Emmy-winning actor Louis Gossett, Jr. will narrate all four
performances.

Disneyland is offering a limited number of dining packages for each performance.
Visitors can get tickets to the reserved seating area with a minumum purchase
at one of these six Disneyland Resort restaurants:

Minimum spending of $40 per adult, $15 per child age 3-9:

Hook's Pointe at the Disneyland Hotel

Storytellers Cafe at the Grand Californian Hotel

Minimum spending of $50 per adult, $15 per child:

Granville's Steak House at the Disneyland Hotel

Yamabuki at the Paradise Pier Hotel

Minimum spending of $75 per adult, $20 per child:

Napa Rose at the Grand Californian Hotel

The Vineyard Room in the Golden Vine Winery in DCA

Note: Park admission is not included with these packages.

As was the case when Disneyland offered a Candlelight dining
package last year, customers must figure out how to meet the minumum purchase
requirements at the participating restaurants. For example, the dinner
buffet at Storytellers Cafethe most expensive menu offeringis
$27.99. Diners will likely need to order an appetizer, entree, dessert
and drinks to meet the minimum at each locationor take home a cheesecake,
as one MousePlanet staff person almost did last year.

It's a Jungle in there

Disneyland's Jungle Cruise has been opening at noon on recent weekdays
to give the Horticulture Department added daylight hours to repair damage
caused by the high winds in late October.

Another honor for Napa Rose

Napa Rose restaurant at the Grand Californian Hotel has achieved the
top Orange County overall ranking in the 2004 edition of the Zagat
Survey, the first time the restaurant has earned the countys
top overall spot. The restaurant received scores of 28 for Food, 25 for
Décor and 26 for Service, giving it the top Food rating among all
restaurants throughout the Los Angeles/Southern California region.

The Zagat 2002 Restaurant Survey placed Napa Rose at the top of
new offerings for the year. Earlier this year, manager Michael A. Jordan
was named the 2002 Sommelier of the Year, and the Napa Rose itself achieved
the Golden Scepter Award, the highest honor for overall excellence, and
the Golden Bacchus Award, the top laurel for wine lists from the Southern
California Restaurant Writers.

Absolutely outrageous!!!

That was the reaction from one MousePlanet reader after she saw the prices
for the upcoming Sleeping Beauty's Royal Ball, scheduled for Valentine's
Day, 2004. Reader Oleg C. agreed, saying, $285 for dinner and dancing,
and a commemorative gift? I'm flabbergasted that the right to buy merchandise
would carry such a premium.

Three ticket options are available for this event:

Flora: $535 per person

One (1) night's accommodation at the Disneyland Hotel on Feburary
14, 2004

Each child must be accompanied by a paying adult, and a child's
ticket does not include the opportunity to pre-purchase limited
edition Sleeping Beauty merchandise.

Tickets are limited in availabity, and no discounts are offered in conjunction
with any of these packages.

In comparison, Walt Disney World is hosting a This is Love
ball on February 4, 2004. This event will be held inside the Magic Kingdom
park, and tickets are only $125 for adults, and $95 for children 3 to
9 years old. WDW has already released a sneak peek at the merchandise
available for the event.

Few details about the Disneyland event have been announced, including
the exact venue. Before prospective attendees plunk down almost $300 for
dinner and dancing, they want to know if the event will be held inside
Disneyland Park, or in one of the hotel ballrooms.

Tickets go on sale at the Disney Gallery Web site (link)
on Tuesday, November 25 at 9:00 a.m. With luck, we'll have more details
before then.

A new sign decorates the construction wall around the coming Buzz Lightyear
attraction. Photo by Isaac.

2004 ticket prices announced

Our sharp-eyed MousePad News Analyst Darkbeer has discovered details
of Disneyland's 2004 ticket offerings. The new prices are valid from January
6, 2004 through January 3, 2005. The only ticket not yet confirmed is
the single-day admission. If recent trends hold true, expect to see this
ticket climb to $48 or $49, although the $1 decrease in the 2-day
park hopper ticket may indicate that 1-day admissions will remain $47.

New 6-Day Park Hopper Bonus Ticket

Adults: $204.

Children ages 3 to 9: $169.

Each ticket comes with a $10 ESPN Zone Arena Game Card. This ticket
is not available at the Disneyland Resort ticket booths. A $45 discount,
($40 for ages 3-9), applies to this ticket when you purchase it in advance
through the Disneyland Web site (link).

New 5-Day Park Hopper Bonus Ticket

Adults: $184.

Children ages 3 to 9: $149.

Each ticket comes with a $10 ESPN Zone Arena Game Card. This ticket
is not available at the Disneyland Resort ticket booths. A $55 discount,
($50 for ages 3-9), applies to this ticket when you purchase it in advance
through the Disneyland Web site (link).

3-day Park Hopper

Adults: $129 ($10 increase).

Children ages 3 to 9: $99 ($4 increase).

A $5 discount applies to this ticket when you purchase it in advance
through the Disneyland Web site (link).

2-day Park Hopper

Adults: $98 ($1 decrease).

Children ages 3 to 9: $78 ($1 decrease).

Darkbeer also reports that the 2004 AAA Passport Plus tickets no longer
offer the enhanced Fastpass option, but come with a coupon book and some
priority seating passes for DCA shows, for the same price as the three-day
Park Hopper. MousePad reader Brian Noble notes that his AAA travel agent
said that the AAA tickets may also come with vouchers for free parking
in the Mickey and Friends structure.

Eureka! we've destroyed it!

Several MousePlanet readers have reported that the floats from DCA's
Eureka parade are being destroyed in a backstage area behind California
Screamin'. The work is visible from the roller coaster, and from the Sun
Wheel.

One cast member said he was surprised that the floats were being destroyed
rather than salvaged. A reader confirmed that observation, saying, What
I saw was not a dismantled float; it was a devastation. I mean, it literally
looked like the thing had been torn to bits recklessly.

Disney's 2003 Wildfire Heroes Salute

The promotion entitles qualifying firefighters, law enforcement and rescue
personnel to one free three-day park hopper ticket. They may also make
a one-time purchase of up to five three-day park hopper companion tickets
for $39 each. Discounted hotel rates are also available at the three Disneyland
Resort hotels.

Disney's 2003 Wildfire Heroes Salute is offered November 11, 2003 through
March 31, 2004, except for blackout dates of November 27 through 29, 2003, December
20, 2003 through January 3, 2004, and February 14 through 16, 2004. Active California firefighters,
law enforcement and rescue personnel are eligible with proper organization
identification and photo identification. Details and additional information
are available by calling (714) 520-5069, or at the salute's Web page (link).

Disneyland Resort Holiday Getaway offer

Disneyland is offering a holiday-themed variation on its recurring get
5 days and 4 nights for the price of 3 offer. The promotion is available
through January 2, 2004, and includes:

A Disney holiday ornament (with arrivals between November 10 and December
31, 2003)

Have a Coke and a pass

Specially marked 12-packs and two-liter bottles of Coca-Cola in Southern
California are currently offering a $20 off coupon towards the purchase
of a new Deluxe or Premium Disneyland Resort Annual Pass. The coupon is
valid through Jan 31, 2004.

Angels in the Outfield

Disney Visa cardholders will be receiving a certificate in their next
statement for a free try at the Angels in the Outfield midway
game at DCA.

Fall 2003 Resident Salute  Two parks, two days for the
price of one.

Southern California residents can purchase a one-day ticket to Disneyland
and a one-day ticket to Disney's California Adventure for the price of
a regular one-day admission.*

The resort hotels are offering a Stay and Play package in
conjunction with this discount. It includes the resident salute 2-for-1
theme park ticket plus a one-night stay at one of the Disneyland Resort
hotels. The package starts at $89 per person. ** To book this package,
call (714) 956-MICKEY and ask for the package code SAP.

*Offer valid through 11/24/03 for Southern California
residents ZIP codes 90000-93599. Admission valid one day at Disneyland
Park, and one day at Disney's California Adventure Park. May purchase
up to 5 tickets per person, per day, with valid ID. First day of use must
be on purchase day. Ticket valid 30 days from first use, or through 11/25/03,
whichever occurs first. Restrictions apply. Tickets are non-transferable.
Offer may not be combined with other discounts or promotions.

**Valid for arrivals through 11/24/03 for Southern California
residents within ZIP codes 90000-93599. $89 price is per person, double
occupancy, Sunday through Thursday standard room rate at Disney's Paradise
Pier Hotel, and includes 2 days admission, valid one day at Disneyland
Park, and one day at Disney's California Adventure Park. Weekend rates
and other room rates may vary. Ticket valid 30 days from first use, or
through 11/25/03, whichever occurs first. Price excludes resort fees and
taxes. Limit 5 people per room, at an additional cost per person. Promotional
rate is subject to availability and advance reservations required. Not
available for groups.

All offers, events, tickets, age ranges, services, attractions,
and entertainment, may be seasonal, and are subject to change without
notice.

A Nightmare deal at Costco

MousePad member Tiki Junki purchased a copy of The Nightmare Before
Christmas at a local Costco store, and discovered a Disneyland Resort
offer inside. The $13 Special Edition DVD comes with a voucher for up
to four preissued Fastpass tickets for the Haunted Mansion, and
a voucher for one free cloisonné pin from the Le Bat en Rouge Shop
in New Orleans Square. The vouchers are good until March 31, 2004, and
are redeemable at Disneylandthere nothing to mail in, and you won't
wait four to six weeks for the passes and pin to arrive.

Annual Passholders nights at the Disneyland Resort hotels

Annual passholder discounts are available at the Paradise Pier hotel
through December 12. Rates are $79 per night weekdays, and $119 per night
weekends. AP rooms are also available at the Disneyland Hotel and Disney's
Grand Californian Hotel at higher rates.

Get 5 days and 4 nights for the price of 3

Book a package at the Disneyland Resort for a minimum four-nights through
the Walt Disney Travel Company, and your package price will include one
night's free accommodations at participating hotels. Your package will
also include a five-day Disneyland Resort park hopper ticket for the price
of a three-day Disneyland Resort park hopper ticket. Click
here for a list of participating hotels and dates.

Disney's 2003 Armed Forces Salute

Through Friday, December 19, 2003, all active members of the United States
military (including Coast Guard and activated National Guard and Reservists)
qualify for Disney's 2003 Armed Forces Salute and can claim one free
3-day park-hopper tickets. Since the tickets expire on December 19, 2003, you
must claim them by December 17, 2003 to use all three day's worth. The passes
can only be claimed at a park gate ticket booth. To claim the passes,
valid military ID must be shown; activated National Guard and Reservists
must also show their active duty orders.

In addition to the one free pass, each qualifying person can also purchase
up to five 3-day companion passes for $39 each. If the qualifying person
cannot visit a park to purchase these companion tickets, a spouse may
do so instead.

Annual passholder discounts at Alamo

California residents get discounts of up to 20 percent off Alamo's retail
rates in the United States. For more details and the discount code you'll
need for this offer, visit the annual
passholder section of the Disneyland Web site.

ESPN Zone discounts for annual passholders

Disneyland annual passholders can get an Season Ticket Frequent Dining
Card at the Downtown Disney ESPN Zone. The Season Ticket entitles you
to a free soda with your meal purchase of $6.99 or more. Once you have
made four meal purchases, you receive the fifth meal and soda free, and
get a chance to win a pair of tickets to the ESPY Awards in 2004. See
location for more information and details.

City Pass now available with AAA packages

You can now purchase the Southern California City Pass with Walt Disney
Travel Company packages.

With a Southern California City Pass booklet, you will receive admission
to five separate entertainment options. Admission includes:

3-day Disneyland Resort Park Hopper Ticket

1-day ticket to Sea World Adventure park

1-day ticket to the World-famous San Diego Zoo

1-day ticket to Knott's Theme Park.

Instead of the Disneyland Resort Park Hopper Ticket currently included
in California packages from the Walt Disney Travel Company, guests can
select a Southern California city's for an additional charge of $47 per
pass ($32 per pass for guests ages 3 through 9).

Note: The Southern California City's does not include the $10
ESPN Zone Arena Game Card, or the California package's feature that allows
guests to collect multiple Fastpass tickets at once for free in advance.

5-Day Park Hopper promotion extended

The Get a 5-Day Park Hopper ticket for the price of a 3-Day ticket
promotion has been extended through January 5, 2004. These tickets are
available when you order online from the Disneyland Web site (link).
Restrictions apply  see site for details.

AAA Passport Plus Package

For $122.75, you can get a 5-day park hopper and the following extras:

Multiple attraction Fastpass (The Unlimited option)

Breakfast in the park (one per person)

Free ESPN Zone arena game card ($10 value)

AAA Free parking at the Disneyland Resort Theme Parks

A $13.75 FedEx fee applies to each reservation, (not per person). This
package is available without an air or hotel purchase, and must be purchased
at your local AAA affiliate office at least 5 days before you plan to
use the tickets.

Many readers have experienced difficulties when trying to purchase this
package from their local AAA affiliate. Be sure to read this
thread on our MousePad discussion boards, for more information
about the package and tips on how to help your AAA travel agent book your
package.

MousePlanet® is not associated in any official way with the Walt Disney Company, its subsidiaries, or its affiliates. The official Disney site is available at www.disney.com. This MousePlanet Web site provides independent news articles, commentary, editorials, reviews, and guides primarily about the theme park resorts of the Walt Disney Co. All information on this site is subject to change. Please call destinations in advance to confirm the most up-to-date information.